I Can’t Believe It’s Not Notable 2024
The 2024 CBCA Notables contains some wonderful titles but here is a list of titles that we think are also Notable for a variety of reasons. These stories are original, memorable, touching, well written, interesting, clever, amusing and most importantly,
A Dream For Every Night
By Angela Casabene & Camille Manley Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Angela Casabene is the author of the picture book All You Can Be, a book encouraging children to fulfill their potential. Now she has teamed up with Camille Manley, a Gold Coast
Girls
Written and illustrated by Annet Schaap Translated from the Dutch by Laura Watkinson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Girls by the Dutch writer and artist Annet Schaap is an original, challenging, maybe even hair raising collection of fairy tales that are not at all
Little Horses
By Deborah Kelly & Jenni Goodman Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Out in the bay where sailboats glide, little horses drift and hide…. Living in the calm waters of a bay, in the safety of a coral reef, two little seahorses raise their
Newsflash! Deadline for entries extended to April 9, 2024
2024 StoryLinks Short Story competition for writers aged 18 + Newsflash! Deadline for entries extended to April 9, 2024 For details of the competition and guidelines on how to enter please go to 2024 StoryLinks Short Story Competition for writers aged 18+.
Finding Bear
By Hannah Gold Illustrated by Levi Pinfold Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Finding Bear is a continuation of Hannah Gold's debut and award winning novel The Last Bear (reviewed in StoryLinks) but it works very well as a stand alone. Hannah has also written
Mim and the Vicious Vendetta (The Travelling Bookshop, #5)
By Katrina Nannestad. Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini Reviewed by Helen Gearing Katrina Nannestad, perhaps best known for her multi award-winning historical fiction (Waiting for the Storks; Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief; and We are Wolves), has teamed up with beloved illustrator Cheryl Orsini
The First Move
By Jenny Ireland Reviewed by Lucille Rose The First Move by Jenny Ireland is a YA romance starring Juliet, a cynical teen with inflammatory arthritis, and Ronan, a brooding bad boy with a secret, who meet disguised as online chess players.
11 Ruby Road: 1900
By Charlotte Barkla Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray 11 Ruby Road, 1900, is the first in a new Brisbane-based historical fiction series for readers 7+. Technically beginning with a prologue in 1860, the stories will be set every 25 years, in and around
2023 Aurealis Awards Shortlist Announcement
Aurealis Awards Shortlists BEST CHILDREN’S FICTION The lonely lighthouse of Elston-Fright, Reece Carter (Allen & Unwin) Ghost book, Remy Lai (Allen & Unwin) The letterbox tree, Rebecca Lim & Kate Gordon (Walker Books Australia) Deadlands: Hunted, Skye Melki-Wegner (Walker Books Australia) The hotel witch, Jessica Miller
Ask the Author: Annaleise Byrd talks about Losing the Plot
By Mia Macrossan Annaleise Byrd is a Brisbane writer whose debut middle grade novel, Losing the Plot, has just been published to much popular acclaim. It is a portal fantasy perfect for children who enjoy action and humour and aren't quite
Shower Land 1: Break the Curse
By Nat Amoore. Illustrated by James Hart. Reviewed by Helen Gearing Since somersaulting onto the kidlit scene in 2019 with her award-winning middle-grade novel, Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire, Nat Amoore has become one of Australia’s most beloved children’s authors. With her
Wongutha Tales
Bawoo & Badudu Stories By May O'Brian Reviewed by Mia Macrossan May O'Brian was one of Australia's first indigenous school teachers and served for many years as community leader and on many committees. She was also a gifted storyteller. This little paperback contains
My Dream for You
By Ash Barty with Jasmin McGaughey & Jade Goodwin Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Ash Barty has been busy since putting down her tennis racquet producing a memoir, Ash Barty Champion, the younger reader edition of her memoir My Dream Time and a
Bush Bugs
By Helen Milroy Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Helen Milroy is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Her thoughtfully designed and produced books for children combine stunning colourful artwork with simple accessible text which introduce readers
Every Night at Midnight
By Peter Cheong Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Peter Cheong grew up on Roald Dahl and having adventures with Calvin and Hobbes. He was heavily influenced by the way Quentin Blake and Bill Watterson brought stories to life. He is the illustrator of
Outlaw Girls
By Emily Gale & Nova Weetman Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Outlaw Girls is an action-packed middle grade timeslip novel from Emily Gale and Nova Weetman, the team behind CBCA Notable Elsewhere Girls. This is not a sequel, but the two books
This is my Happy Place
By Emma Bowd & Jen Khatun Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran Emma Bowd is adept at capturing joyful childhood moments in her delightful picture books. Her debut book, Wonderful Shoes, is an onomatopoeic tribute to the time kids spend playing with shoes and
Phonobet
By Kathy Weeden and Kim Drane Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Most of us understand that there are 26 letters in the English alphabet, but far fewer could list the 44 sounds that make up everything we say when combining those letters
Where is Cheeky Monster?
By Mike Lucas & Heidi McKinnon Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Where is Cheeky Monster? is a joyful, interactive read for the 2 – 5 year old end of picture book appreciators. The enticing, reflective cover invites the reader straight into a
Losing the Plot
By Annaleise Byrd Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Brisbane based debut author Annaleise Byrd has produced an action packed portal fantasy sure to appeal to middle grade readers who like their fairy tales funny, fast and full of surprises. Ever since young Lucy stepped
Ivy Newt and the Storm Witch
By Derek Keilty Illustrated by Magda Brol Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Derek Keilty is a UK based author whose previous titles include Will Gallows and the Snake-Bellied Troll and Flyntlock Bones: The Sceptre of the Pharaohs. He writes ripping adventure yarns for young
Life Lessons for Little Ones: You Can Do Hard Things
A little one's guide to not giving up By Jess Sanders & Martina Stuhlberger Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Life Lessons for Little Ones is a new series that contains important life lessons, such as embracing vulnerability, listening to your body and embracing your
How To Be Invisible (Bunny and Bird, #2)
By Nick Bland Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Nick is a very popular creator of picture books including The Very Cranky Bear series, The Runaway Hug and The Wrong Book. How To Be Invisible is the second in the delightful Bunny and Bird
